Daily Meditation

Tradition Eight gives me freedom. In my professional life, I have developed skills, knowledge, and experience. Unfortunately, I have also developed a lot of pride in my work and feel most confident when I am living from that part of myself. My shame led me to hide behind my professionalism, even when I was involved in things that are not part of my work. I bonded much of my identity to my work.

I wanted to hide behind my professionalism in SAA, too. Of course, I had no real experience, knowledge, or skill with recovery at first, so I tried to fake it. I wanted to be a professional SAA recovering person, whatever that is.

Through Tradition Eight, I realized that my approach was wrong. Hiding behind my image actually limited me. I needed to be an SAA rookie and an SAA seeker. I had to be open.

This tradition freed me from the straightjacket of my false pride. It also freed me to live a new way. I can be vulnerable, I can admit that I do not know everything and do not have to, and I can let other people lead. I can let whatever skills, knowledge, and experience I developed serve others rather than serve my ego.